Everton: Chris Sutton shares new Sean Dyche verdict after what happened at Goodison Park
Chris Sutton has insisted Sean Dyche is to blame for the 13-game winless run at Everton but claimed no other manager would have handled their situation better.
After the club was handed a ten-point deduction, later reduced to six with a second punishment looming, Sutton claimed they need to start next season with minimal stress after the turbulence this year.
He was adamant that the Toffees would not be relegated, which is the most important thing for the club with the background issues overriding the problems on the pitch.
Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast [4 April], Sutton shared: “So much has happened this season, and of course a lot of those performances – it does fall on Sean Dyche, whether he likes it or not.
“Having said that, with what has gone on this season at Everton, the turbulence which there has been on and off the field, they’re still going to be alright. They will stay in the Premier League as far as I can see.
“All things being equal, the main thing from Everton’s perspective is staying in the Premier League. I think it literally is about getting to the stage where they can start a season and start with very little stress.
“With this points deduction always hanging over them, it was always going to make the season really difficult. Dyche deserves to be at the helm because I don’t know many managers who would have coped so well.
“It has been a problem, performances on the pitch and results. That record isn’t one that he would want, but with what they’ve had to put up with, staying up is the be-all and end-all.”
Everton still face relegation concerns at Goodison Park
Despite Sutton’s claims that Everton will stay up this season, there is not so much confidence amongst the fans. A 13-game winless run has increased the nervousness around the club, with a relegation battle very much on the cards.
Just six points separate Luton in 18th from Brentford in 15th, with any of those four teams capable of staying up and condemning another to relegation. After Forest beat Fulham, they have started to pile the pressure on Everton.
With another PSR verdict looming and a possible second points deduction at Goodison Park, the teams down the bottom will be keeping a close eye on the situation which could make the difference in the relegation battle.
Forest have already clawed back their four-point deduction with a draw against Crystal Palace and a win against Fulham, leaving Everton in an uncertain situation with regard to their own deduction and lack of points gained in recent weeks.
In other Everton news, Phil Jagielka has made a “crazy” relegation claim.
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